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Grant sings to sold-out prayer breakfast

ZACH LONG

“You don’t see a whole lot when you land in Lubbock,” quipped Grammy-nominated Christian singer Natalie Grant to a sold-out crowd at the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce’s Community Prayer Breakfast Thursday.

As her airplane neared the Hub City, a friend traveling with Grant wondered aloud where in the world they were landing.

“I’ve been told Texas is God’s country,” Grant told her friend — that’s where they were headed.

God and country were recurring themes as program participants lifted prayers during the breakfast, scheduled to coincide with the National Day of Prayer.

The Rev. Steve Doles, pastor of Cumberland Presbyterian Church, included a selection from Psalms 33:22, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”

In her prayer for the nation and its many leaders, Lori McCunniff of Lake-Ridge United Methodist Church lamented to God, “We have replaced your laws with those of man.”

McCuniff led a meditation followed by a three-part harmony rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” by the trio Higher Mpact.

Brenda Rincones of Alliance Church and Paul Frazier from the Lubbock Independent School District rounded out the program of prayers before Grant took the stage to intersperse song with encouraging words.

“We continue to recognize one nation under God," Grant told the nearly 500 people gathered in the Overton Hotel and Conference Center.

She noted the importance of public prayer — even in an act as simple as bowing one's head to say grace before a meal. Such seemingly small gestures communicate meaning, she said. "I am identifying myself as someone who belongs to God.”

She ended her set with an acapella version of "Somebody's Praying for Me."

The crowd capped Grant's remarks and performance with an enthusiastic standing ovation.

Grant proved a huge draw for the prayer breakfast, said Mary Whistler, who chaired the committee organizing the event.

"We just had an overwhelming, great response from those that approached us and told us how they felt about it," Whistler said.

Though McNeme was excited to see Grant, she also noted the importance of the National Day of Prayer itself.

“I think when a group of people come together and just join to lift in prayer, I think miracles can happen, citywide,” McNeme said. “I’ve just seen miracles happen and I’ve seen people grow closer by praying together.”

The breakfast offered an opportunity to connect with the community and God, said Allen Lane, who attended with his employer, Birmingham, Ala.-based bank BBVA Compass.

Starting the day off bright and early with prayer, wasn't a bad idea either.

“Hem your day in in prayer and it's less likely to unravel, I think is the old saying," Lane said.